Heather Anne Howell, 41, has been denied parole after a decision by the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, Board of Parole Hearings. Howell is currently serving a 15-year-to-life sentence for the 2012 vehicular murder of Jesse Garcia, a Santa Rosa resident. This ruling marks her second failed attempt at parole, as reported by the Sonoma County District Attorney's Office.
On July 12, 2012, Howell was involved in a high-speed chase while under the influence of alcohol and cocaine following a conflict with her boyfriend. The chase ended tragically when Howell's vehicle collided with Garcia's classic convertible, resulting in a fiery crash that claimed his life. Serving 10 years, Howell's initial parole eligibility coincided with the good conduct credits stipulated in the California Penal Code. However, she was originally sentenced to a longer prison term. Despite her involvement in rehabilitative programs, she was deemed to still pose "an unreasonable risk of danger to the community if released," according to a statement obtained by the Sonoma County District Attorney's Office.
Further elaborating on the denial was District Attorney Carla Rodriguez, who said via the Sonoma County District Attorney's Office press release, "After 13 years behind bars, Howell has demonstrated that despite a plethora of rehabilitative programs in prison, she continues to pose an unreasonable risk of harm to the public." This position was buttressed by Chief Deputy District Attorney Anne Masterson's presence at the hearing to oppose Howell's release.
During the parole hearing, Howell waived her right to a contested hearing. The board's decision included not just Howell's continued substance abuse but also domestic violence and stalking that was part of the fatal incident. Heather Anne Howell's conduct in prison has also drawn scrutiny, having been found guilty of engaging in "criminal thinking," including fighting and attempts to eschew court-ordered restitution. In an article from KRON4, it was reported that Howell's actions within the correctional system have contributed to the board's determination that she remains unfit for reentry into society.
"Hopefully, Ms. Howell will spend her time in prison reflecting on how she, and she alone, took this man’s life, and how she will ensure that it never happens again," Sonoma County District Attorney Jill Ravitch told KRON4, summing up the steadfast conviction of the prosecution and reinforcing the board's decision to deny parole. Howell may petition for an earlier review under current rules despite the board issuing a 3-year denial.
